Christ Invited Both To Come With Questions

Lean In to Curiosity – Part 3

Faith begins with Christ meeting us where we are. He invites us to come with questions, assuring us that- right where we are- is the perfect place to begin to deepen our understanding. 

Two women. Two ordinary days. Two moments that changed the course of their lives.

One stood at a concrete basketball court, searching for an answer from God. The other stood at a well, carrying the weight of her past, searching for something she did not yet understand.

Neither had all the answers.

These stories remind us that faith doesn’t begin with certainty. It begins with a question.

I’ve felt the hesitation that I’m not good enough to represent Christ through the title of disciple. Clearly- that’s the message the adversary wanted the woman in Samaria to feel too. Yet, she showed her faith in accepting a simple invitation to come into Christ, to learn of Him. Next, she and I had choices- to follow Him…

Growing in faith and deepening our understanding of Jesus Christ works as we learn, step-by-step, with the opportunity to choose hope and belief. We will need to make adjustments. We will learn to replace fear with faith. Change will be a little at a time. Confidence in Christ will follow. We all become part of His story.
There is a place for you in His story too.

You’re invited to come as you are.
Where you are is the perfect place to begin. 
Lean into curiosity.
Become eager to learn. 
Build on simple experiences.
Trust that you are surrounded by those God has placed in your path to help you. 
Share every part of your journey with them-now, as you are. You do not need to be polished or proficient to brighten another day as you share your learning.

And yes- 
We are talking about cookies and Christ. 

-JC

Cookies and Cream Fudge Bars

Oreo Crust:
24 regular Oreos, finely crushed
4.5 tablespoons (2.25 oz.) softened cream cheese
Dash of salt
—
Oreo Fudge:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 ½ cups vanilla baking chips
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
20 Oreos cut into small pieces
—
Fudge Topping:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
Dash of salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Use a food chopper or processor to finely crush Oreos. 
• Mix in cream cheese and salt until well combined. 
• Press into the bottom of a parchment lined 8″x8″ square baking pan.

• Combine sweetened condensed milk, white baking chips, and salt into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute and additional 10 second intervals until the mixture is melted and can be stirred smooth. 
• Stir in vanilla extract.
• Gently fold in Oreo pieces.
• Spoon mixture onto Oreo Crust. Spread evenly.

• Melt chocolate chips into whipping cream and salt in a microwave safe bowl. (Begin with 30 seconds, stir, and add 10 second intervals until melted.) 
• Stir until smooth.
• Stir in vanilla extract. Spread onto the top of the Oreo Fudge layer. 
• Refrigerate until serving. (2+ hours) Remove bars from baking pan and cut into 36 squares.
• Garnish with melted vanilla candy discs and mini Oreos, as desired.
• Let set.
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